Names That Mean Small

Deciding on a name that means small is a fascinating choice- it symbolizes the dichotomy of both fragility and tenderness with the mixture of strength and potential. Or maybe you’re looking for a name with historical context, or a moniker that has a nice sound to it, or just something totally unique. 

If you want a ‘little’ name that has a special meaning, then you can choose your favorite from this extensive list with all the names that mean small. 

Girls Names That Mean Small 

Adva 

In Hebrew, it means small waves or ripples. 

Aithne

The perfect name for a- girl Aithne means ‘little fire,’ and it is associated with the Mount Etna volcano. This name is perfect if you’re looking for something symbolizing the fierceness of nature.. 

Arizona 

This name has gained popularity in recent times, a feminine name Arizona means ‘small spring’. You probably know this name from the American State. 

Anu

This gentle Sanskrit name means “an atom” or “the origin of everything.”

Bláthnat

If you are looking for a name from epic mythology, then Bláthnat is an excellent option. This name has an Irish origin and means’ little flower’. The maiden ‘Bláthnat’ of the Irish legend was married to the Cú Roí. 

Along with this, it is also the name of the goddess of abundance and a beautiful woman of the otherworld in Irish mythology. 

Bambalina

This is an incredibly fascinating name that has its origin in the Italian dialect. Bambalina means ‘little girl.’ 

Charlotte 

This feminine moniker means ‘petite or free,’ which roots back to the French language. Charlotte Brontë is one of the most prevalent names in the world of literature.

Carina

This is indeed one of the sweetest names you can find for your precious little angel. In Latin, the name Carina means ‘little darling.’ 

Cinderella 

We are all familiar with this delightful name; Cinderella is one of the most famous and beloved Disney princesses of all time. The iconic story tells about the tragic life of Cinderella who meets a prince and lives happily after. 

Cinderella means ‘little ashes,’ and it has a French origin. 

Cosette

Cosette is a gorgeous French name; it signifies ‘little thing.’ If you enjoy classic English literature, then you might recognize this as a leading character of Victor Hugo’s outstanding novel Les Miserables. 

Corette

Here comes another elegant French name, this beautiful appellation means’ little maiden’. 

Courtney

This name could be derived from either an aristocratic English surname or the French place name Courtenay, so the origin of this name can be traced back to two sources. 

Curtenus is a variant of the personal name which comes from the Latin word citrus, which means “short.”

This has become a popular name for girls as celebrities like Courtney Cox and Kourtney Kardashian have this name.

Devika

This traditional Indian name has been obtained from the Sanskrit language; Devika means ‘little goddess.’ 

Ellette

Ellette is a soothing feminine name with an English origin that rolls off the tongue. This name means ‘little woman.’  Elle makes a wonderful nickname.

Femke

Femke is a diminutive of a Germanic name that means ‘peace.’ It’s also a Frisian word that means ‘small girl.’

Frauke

This gentle name is derived from the German word ‘frau’; when paired with a diminutive suffix, it symbolizes ‘small lady.’

Fleurette

It’s another pretty French name on our list; it’s perfect for a girl. Fleurette means ‘little flower.’

Gretchen

The name Gretchen has German origins, which means ‘little pearl.’ This is a familiar name- we know it from our favorite fictional characters from Breaking Bad and Mean Girls. 

Jemima

Jemima is an excellent choice if you want to have a unique as well as a delightful name. In Arabic, this name means ‘little dove.’ Along with this, it also has biblical meaning as this was the name of Job’s eldest daughter, who was said to be the most beautiful woman. 

Kibibi

This extraordinary name is prevalent among various African provinces. This name has Swahili origin, and it means ‘little lady.’

Ketut

The name may come from a Balinese phrase that means ‘little banana.’ The fourth child is traditionally given this name.

Koharu

The name Koharu is a feminine name that comes from Japan. The name has been obtained from the Japanese’ ko,’ which means ‘small’ or heart, and ‘haru,’ which means ‘spring or Late summer.’ 

Luminița

This elegant name is derived from the Romanian word ‘lumina’ which means ‘light mixed with a diminutive suffix to mean ‘small light’.

Loma 

This is a popular name for a girl child, and it has been obtained from the native American language. Loma means ‘born on a small hill.’ 

Maimu

Maimu is an Estonian word that means ‘small.’ This is the name that was made popular by the Estonian writer August Kitzberg because of his novel ‘Maimu’.

Muadhnait

The name Muadhnait comes from the Irish word ‘much.’ which means ‘noble or good,’ and it is coupled with a diminutive suffix to form a ‘small noble one.’

Odharnait

This enigmatic name comes from the Irish word ‘odhra,’ which means pale green and is coupled with a diminutive suffix to mean a small pale green one.

Pauletta

A graceful feminine name, Pauletta, has its roots in the Latin language, which means small. It is a variant of different names like Paula , the female form of Paul. 

This name is spelled as Paulita in Spanish, which means ‘little.’  Paul

Piloqutinnguaq

If you want to name your child something outside the box and unique then this name is a great option for you. 

This name has a Greenlandic origin and it means ‘little leaf.’ 

Prunella

Prunella is a feminine name with a Latin origin, which means ‘little plum.’ This is a delightful name for your daughter to call by; some nicknames for this are Pru, Prue, Nell, and Nella. 

Rochelle

The moniker comes from the French city of La Rochelle, which means ‘small rock.’ It became prevalent as a given name in America back in the 1930s, owing to the popularity of the actress Rochelle Hudson. 

Rosetta

In Latin, the name Rosetta means a ‘little rose.’ This is a gorgeous name forany girl, and some nicknames for this name can be Rose or Rosie. 

Rubetta 

It is speculated that the precious ruby gemstone inspires this name; Rubetta is an exquisite name of Latin origin, which means ‘precious little jewel.’ 

This is a perfect name for anyone with hints of red in their hair. 

Sayuri

This lovely name has its origin in the Japanese language. From the Japanese words ‘sa’ for ‘small’ and ‘yuri’ for ‘lily,’ the soothing name Sayuri is an absolute beauty for a girl. 

Sirpa

The name Sirpa comes from a Finnish word that means a ‘small piece or a fragment.’ This is another wonderful name for a newborn girl; after all, your child signifies a little fragment of your heart! 

Talitha

If you are looking for a biblical name for your child, then you should definitely consider this arcane name. 

Talitha is derived from Jesus’s words ‘Talitha Cumi,’ which he used to bring a little girl back to life. This is from the Aramaic language and means a little girl. 

Tulla 

The name Tulla means a ‘little hill.’ There is no reliable source of information on the origin of this name, but the guesses are Germanic, or Native American. It can also mean ‘strength or peak’ in other languages. 

Tuulikki

Here we have another melodic name on this list, with Finnish origin. Tuulikki was the name of the forest goddess according to Finnish mythology, who was the daughter of Tapio. This name is derived from the word ‘tuuli’, which means a ‘small wind.’

Ursula

This name comes from a diminutive form of the Latin word ‘Ursa,’ which means little bear. Moreover, this name has historical significance. Although, during the Middle Ages in England, saint Ursula was very well-known, she was a 4th-century virgin princess who the Huns martyred on her way back from a pilgrimage. This name was widely used during the period.

You might also enjoy: Names that mean bear. Or Teddy Bear Names.

Veslemøy

Another name with literary implication on this list is Veslemøy, with a Norwegian origin. 

The Norwegian poet, Arne Garborg gave the name Veslemøy to the main character of the poem Haugtussa. The word ‘vesle’ means ‘little/small’, and ‘møy’ implies ‘girl.’

Yazhi 

This feminine name Yazhi has been obtained from the ancient Navajo language and it means little one. 

Zita 

In Tuscan, Italy, the name Zita means ‘small girl.’ This was the appellation of a saint, back from the thirteenth century, who was the patron saint of servants. 

Boys Names That Mean Small 

Aanik

Aanik is the perfect name for a newborn baby boy. This name means ‘an atom’ or ‘the smallest source of existence.’ Aanik is a common name for a Hindu boy. 

Abbán

This name is derived from the Irish word ‘abb or abbot,’ which is paired with a diminutive suffix to mean ‘small abbot.’ Along with this, it has religious/historical meaning as Abbán was the name of an Irish saint who lived in the sixth century and was the son of King Cormac of Leinster.

Ahuatzi

This is a hardy masculine name. The name Ahuatzi comes from Aztec origin, and it means ‘small oak.’ 

Aodhán

The name Aodhán comes from an old Irish word Aedán, which means a ‘small/little fire.’ 

This name is familiar among various characters of Irish Mythology, the most popular being a seventh-century Irish monk and saint who had the same name. 

Asterix

If you are a comic book fanatic, you must recognize the Gaulish hero, Astérix. This is an amazing name, and it means a ‘little star’ in French. 

Attila

From the Gothic word ‘atta’ father paired with a diminutive suffix, the name Attila indicates the meaning ‘little father.’ 

The name has historical influence, as this was the name of a chieftain of the Huns back in the fifth century, the nomadic people from Central Asia were the ones who had spread into Eastern Europe by the fourth century. 

His Gothic-speaking fellow citizens in Eastern Europe gave him the name Attila, although his real name may have been Avithohol.

Becan

This is a popular Christian name that means ‘small’ and roots back to the Celtic language. 

Bolan

A trending masculine name that is easy to pronounce, Bolan means ‘little poet’ and has Irish origin. 

Boris 

The name Boris comes from the Turkic moniker ‘Bogoris,’ which means ‘short wolf, or even snow leopard.’ 

This name became famous in Slavic countries like Bulgaria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia because of various emperors and saints who carried this name. 

Booth

This masculine name originates from the old English word Bothy, which means “a small hut or cottage.”

Brigham

This name also has English origin and means a ‘little settlement by the bridge.’

Caligula

In Latin, Caligula means ‘small boot.’ 

Interestingly, the Roman emperor Gaius Caesar Germanicus was given this nickname by his father’s troops when he was a child.

Chiumbo

The name means ‘small’ in Mwera, and it is pretty common in various East African provinces. This is also the name of a town in Anglo. 

Ciaran 

Ciarán or Ciaran is an Irish male given name, composed by adding a diminutive suffix to ‘ciar’ and means ‘little dark one or small dark-haired one.’ 

Find more gorgeous Irish ideas in our list of ethereal names!

Conan

This name is derived from the Irish word cú, which means ‘wolf or a hound,’ paired with a diminutive suffix to mean ‘small wolf or little hound.’ 

There are various prominent people with this name, like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (the writer of Sherlock Holmes) and American Pop Star Conan Gray. 

This name also has some variants like Cúan, of Irish origin, which also means little wolf. 

Dalziel

This name has Scottish origin and means a ‘small field or little field. Dalziel is a masculine name that is often used as a surname. 

Egan 

This fierce name Egan is derived from the Gaelic Irish moniker M’ Aodhagáin. It primarily stems from the word ‘aedh,’ which means ‘small inferno,’ and the element ‘an,’ which means ‘tiny blazing-eyed.’

Faolán

This outlandish name Faolán is derived from the Gaelic word, fáel or wolf along, with a diminutive suffix that means small wolf. 

Many parents name their little boy this as it was also the name of an Irish saint who worked in Scotland as a missionary.

Fechín

This beautiful name has been obtained from the Irish fiach, which means raven. And with a diminutive suffix, the name means ‘small raven’. 

An Irish saint who died of the yellow plague in the 7th century had this name. 

Feeny 

This is another masculine name on our list, which means a ‘little raven,’ and has its origin in the Irish language. 

Fishel

In Yiddish, this name means ‘little fish.’

Garbhán

Here’s another wonderful name for your baby boy with its Irish roots. The name Garbhán is derived from the word garbh means ‘rough,’ and with a diminutive suffix, it signifies ‘small rough one.’

Garvan is another version of this name,this is also the name of the legendary footballer Owen Garvan. 

Hagan

Hagan is a Christian boy name, which means ‘fire or a small fire.’ this is a small but assertive name for your newborn. 

Henrik 

Henrik has Armenian origin and means little fire. 

Joktan

This name is derived from the Hebrew language, which means ‘small.’ This name has biblical reference as it was the appellation of Eber’s son in the Old Testament.

Logan

This name means a little hollow and has Scottish origin. 

Lommán

This name is derived from the Irish Gaelic word ‘lomm or bare,’ which is paired with a diminutive suffix that means ‘small bare one.’ 

Lonán

In Irish Gaelic, the word ‘lon’ means ‘blackbird,’ and when combined with a diminutive suffix, it means a small blackbird. 

Lorcán

It is a masculine name from the Irish Gaelic word lorcc, which means fierce. This name means ‘small fierce one.’ It was also the name of an archbishop of Dublin back in the 12th century.

Mainchín

This name has its roots in the Irish word manach (monk). The name Mainchín means a ‘little monk.’ 

Marceau 

This elegant name comes from the French language, and it means ‘little warrior.’ 

Naomhán

The name Naomhán comes from either Irish or Scottish origins, and it means ‘small saint.’ 

Nizar

Nizar is a gentle name that stems from the Arabic language; this name means ‘little.’ it is a prevalent name used mostly for a Muslim baby boy. 

Obama 

Obama means a ‘little beach’ and is a pretty common name in African and Japanese provinces. The 44th President of the USA was Barack Obama. 

Odhrán

Another great Irish name for a boy is Odhrán, which means little pale green one. It is an excellent option if you love the green color or if this color has a special meaning for you.  

Oisin 

In the Ossianic or Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology, Oisin is considered as Ireland’s finest poet as well as the warrior of the Fianna. 

He is the son of Fionn mac Cumhaill and Sadhbh, and the narrator of much of the cycle. He is also credited with the composition of the poems. The name Oisin means ‘small deer.’ 

Paolo 

The name Paolo has an Italian origin, and it is usually given to boys. The meaning of this name is ‘small or humble.’ It is a common name of various notable celebrities like Paolo Gucci, and Paolo Sorrentino. 

Paul 

The name paul comes from the Latin adjective ‘small or humble,’ it is derived from the Roman surname Paulus or Paullus. Paul is also a universal name in most European languages, with some variants.

This Christian name is quite prevalent for famous people like Paul Walker, Paul Rudd, Paul McCartney (vocalist of the Beatles). 

Related post: 113 names inspired by the Beatles

Regulus

Regulus was a common name that was used back in Ancient Rome. The name means ‘little king.’ 

The brightest star of the Leo constellation is also called Regulus. So if your boy is a Leo, this name is the perfect fit. 

Ryan 

Ryan comes from the Gaelic language and means little king. This became a common name for boys in recent times, as various celebrities like Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds share the same name. 

Santino 

If you are into classic movies, then you might be familiar with the name Santino from the iconic film- The Godfather. This name comes from the Italian language and means ‘little saint.’

Tighearnán

This name comes from the word tigerna and this name means little lord. 

Gender Neutral Names That means Small 

Aiden 

Aiden is an Irish mythological name that means little fire. Aodh is the moniker of the Celtic holy deity of fire, warmth, and the sun in Gaelic. The particular element Aed roots from the Irish term Aodh. 

Aiden’s origins can be traced back to Irish mythology and Gaelic roots, where Aodh was the Celtic sun deity. Undoubtedly, This is a dynamic name for your newborn baby. 

Brooke 

This is a beautiful name for a baby, as it means a ‘small stream.’ And it signifies the stream of happiness your little one brings to your life. 

Charlin 

Charlin is a unisex name that means little champion and is of Irish origin. It is a variant for Charles or Charlie. 

Chote/Choti 

This is a common Indian nickname, which simply means ‘small.’ Chote is usually used for the youngest kid. 

Lane 

This name has Old English origin and means a ‘small path or roadway.’ Lane is an extraordinary moniker for a child, representing a new road to life. 

Lennon

The name Lennon has Irish origin and means a ‘small lover.’ John Lennon was the co-lead singer of the Beatles. 

Reagan 

This is a popular baby’s name of Irish origin which means ‘little ruler.’ Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. 

Renny 

This is another common nickname for your baby; Renny means a little/small, prosperous one. 

Tiernan 

The name Tiernan is of Irish origin, and it means ‘little lord.’ 

Vaughn

Both Vaughan and Vaughn are Welsh surnames often used as a variant of McMahon’s Irish surname. 

The name Vaughan comes from the Welsh word bychan, which means ‘small.’

Words That Mean Small

Here are more words that mean small to inspire names. They could be used as names themselves or added to another name, for example, Bitty Betsy or Henriette the Petite

• Bantam
• Bitty
• Cramped
• Diminutive
• Meager
• Microscopic
• Mini, miniature
• Minor
• Minuscule
• Paltry
• Petite
• Pint-sized
• Pocket-sized
• Puny
• Short
• Slight
• Small-fry
• Teensy
• Teeny
• Wee

More Names That Mean Small

While these names may not actually mean small, they are inspired by small things, or concepts related to smallness

• Betty- similar to bitty
• Dimi- as in diminutive
• Mimi- reminds me of miniature

More Ways To Make Names That Mean Small

Here are things you can add to any name to make it sound “little.” Some of these are diminutives from other languages.

• -ita, or -ito. In Spanish, this ending is added to make names sound cute or little. -ita is used for boys, and -ita for girls. Some examples: Anita, Juanito, Benito, Carlita, Nita, Angelita
• Ending the name with -y or -ie is common in English. For example, Abby, Debby, Charlie, and Johnny
• Italians tend to use the suffixes -ino, -ina, -etto, and -etta. You may have seen this in names like Giorgino, Adelina, Antoinetta, Carlotta, and Benedetto
• The French  tend to use the suffixes -ette, -ene, -ot, and -otte. Some examples are Georgine, Henriette, Paulette, and Margot
• Sometimes, Russians use suffixes including -sha, -ya, -ik, -nka, and -shka. Examples: Sasha, Dasha, Masha, Anya, Alenka, Irinushka, Mashka
• Other examples:
  • -je or -te in Dutch (Elsje, Jantje, Ditte)
  • -an or -in in Irish (Caolan, Damhan, Mairin, Oisin)
  • -ag in Scottish (Beathag, Nandag)
  • -ek in Polish or Czech (Bartek, Janek)
  • -use in Czech (Danuse, Miluse)
  • -ska in Hungarian (Joska, Mariska)
  • -ka and -co in Eastern Europe. Examples: Ivanka, Boroka)
• Add Lil or Little to the name. Think Little John, Lil Wayne, Lil Flip, Little Bo Peep, Chicken Little, and Little Jack Horner
• Make names easier to say. These form some of our most popular nicknames.
  • Change or drop “r” sounds to form names like Babs (Barbara), Fanny (Francis), Molly (Mary), Hal (Harry)
  • Change “th” sounds. Examples: Dot (Dorothy), Betty or Bess (Elizabeth)
• And of course, there’s the classic Junior

Resource: The website Behind the Name is a fantastic resource for finding more names based on uniqueness, similarity to other names, and meaning.